Purchasing new electronics such as headphones, OLED TVs, or laptops only to discover they were available at a lower price elsewhere can be frustrating for consumers. To prevent customer dissatisfaction and to maintain customer loyalty, many retailers have implemented price-matching policies. These policies promise to match lower prices found at competing retailers, which is particularly beneficial during major shopping events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Consumers can find detailed information about price-matching policies for various major retailers. It is important to note that these policies come with specific rules, and consumers are advised to review these policies closely on the respective retailers’ websites. Additionally, marketplace retailers such as Costco and Sam’s Club typically do not offer price-matching policies, and many traditional stores will not match prices from these wholesalers. Exceptions to these policies may occur, so it is advisable to contact customer service to inquire about potential price matches for specific products.
For instance, if Best Buy offers a better discount than Target on a product like the latest Kindle Paperwhite, Target may refund the price difference. However, Amazon does not provide price matching, though it does have a liberal return policy, allowing customers to potentially return items purchased at a higher price and repurchase them at a lower cost.
Starting from November 7th, Target expands its price-matching policy for eligible items bought at its stores or online until December 24, 2024. Target will also match prices from select competitors like Amazon and Walmart within 14 days of purchase if the original ad or listing is presented. This policy excludes doorbusters and certain sales, and does not apply to products requiring login to view prices or items from third-party sellers.
Best Buy’s Price Match Guarantee applies if a product is new, identical, available from a qualifying competitor, and not from Best Buy’s exclusion list. This list includes items sold during certain sales periods around Thanksgiving. Price matches do not include membership or loyalty program discounts, such as those during Amazon Prime Day. Customers must contact Best Buy through chat or phone to show evidence of a qualifying lower price, and adjustments can be made for price drops during the return and exchange period, which usually lasts 15 days.
Walmart does not price match competitors, yet it offers online price matching for its in-stock items, excluding locations in Alaska, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico, and event-specific prices such as Black Friday deals. Additionally, Walmart does not offer retroactive price matching for items from its online store that have reduced in price post-purchase.
Apple does not have an official price-matching policy. However, it may adjust prices on Apple-branded products purchased within 14 days of a price drop, but this does not extend to promotional sales events.
B&H considers honoring a current lower price on a case-by-case basis. Customers must contact customer service, and if approved, a price match will be provided for one identical item per customer.
Costco does not match competitors’ prices but offers price adjustments on online purchases made within 30 days before a price change, with differences in credit issued to the customer.
Dell price matches identical products from certain major retailers, excluding certain promotional periods. Customers must provide specific product details for verification.
eBay offers a price match that includes an additional 10 percent of the difference as a coupon for eligible items purchased shortly after a lower price is found.
GameStop has not provided an official policy online, but has previously indicated it would match prices with Amazon when products are available.
Google offers a price match for devices bought from major retailers if the request is made within the return period, though exclusions apply for certain sales and pricing structures.
The Home Depot matches competitor prices excluding member-based wholesalers and certain promotional events, requiring advertisements or listings for in-store requests.
HP’s price matching involves certain nationally recognized retailers and provides price protection for reduced prices within return periods, excluding promotional sales.
Lenovo matches prices for comparable PCs from specific retailers but excludes special discounts and certain items.
Lowe’s matches prices of identical products with evidence required but does not apply to promotional sales or from differing Lowe’s locations.
Microsoft offers price adjustments for stocks purchased at its store if prices drop at select qualifying retailers, requiring customer contact within a specified timeframe.
Newegg offers price matching on items marked with its “Price Match Guarantee,” with certain conditions and exclusions, including during major sales events.
Finally, Sam’s Club offers price adjustments within its own stores but not with competitors, with exclusions for markdowns or clearance items.
The information was updated as of October 30th to reflect current retailer policies and include references to Black Friday.